If you’re bored on the beach and un-moved by mountains, make your next holiday a cultural odyssey and soak up all the galleries, museums, theatres and live music your destination has to offer.
5 Amsterdam
As one of the most cultural student cities, the Dutch capital is a popular with culture lovers for a reason. Probably the best way to absorb the lights and sights of this unique city is to hop on your bike. Aside from being home to some of the planet’s most respected painters like Rembrandt and Van Gogh, Amsterdam also invites you into its sleazily magical red light district and to sample the city’s fascinating history at one of its many museums.
4 Granada
Sometimes overlooked by those who associate Spain only with the beach, Granada is in fact one of the most spectacular cities in Europe, mixing breathtaking North African architecture with the gypsy spirit of Andalucía. Climb up to the magnificent Alhambra – a Moorish palace decorated with beautiful ancient design and surrounded by flourishing gardens. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to Sacromonte and watch a flamenco show in one of its atmospheric caves.
3 Paris
A classic, but with good reason. Skip the tourist sights (you’ll see the Eiffel Tower from many corners of the city anyway!) and head to some of Paris’s lesser known corners. There are more than 500 museums to explore, tiny obscure bookshops to rummage in and a multitude of bizarre and beautiful theatre productions performed across this world famous capital. A weekend in Paris is a drop in the ocean for culture vultures, but it’s a good place to start.
2 Jerusalem
Since it’s both extremely ancient and exceptionally holy, Jerusalem is a city trembling with religious history and spiritual significance, plus architecture – new and old. Vibrant markets and fact-packed museums rub shoulders with buildings of worship, arts workshops and shiny modern shops. An opera festival is celebrated once a year so you can experience some of the finest singers and orchestras from across the globe. A wander round the orthodox Jewish neighbourhood Mea Shearim to educate yourself about the roots of their religion and their ancient styles of dress – which live on today for many practising Jews in this part of town.
1 Kyoto
Japan has a sensationally rich culture and history and the dreamlike city of Kyoto is no exception. Gaze at a collection of traditional Japanese gowns, dresses and military uniforms in Kyoto Costume Museum. Taste unrivalled flavours of kaiseiki cuisine – a multi-course style of dining packed with flavour and prepared with finesse. Explore Shinto shrines and wander enchanting gardens blooming with colour and life. A must for culture lovers and somewhere you’ll not forget in a hurry.
